Greg Vettel

Scuplture / Digital Prints

Big Bang

Statement

In my sculptures, I explore the inner workings of mechanized, mobile machines in the medium of welded steel machine parts. I build statues from machine parts, that are normally enclosed, hidden and ignored by the vast majority of the public who never consider, much less care about how machines work. My work is influenced by my love of motorcycles, mechanisms and my experience as an internal combustion technician. My theme is transportation -- machines; specifically motorcycle parts from only American-made motorcycles still in production. I prefer mechanical subjects -- sharp, angular geometric forms and shapes with high contrast features and textures.

I find the motorcycle, an old form of transportation, more personal and exhilarating than the automobile. The motorcycle has a rich and proud tradition over a hundred years old of two-wheeled adventures. The motorcycle parts I use to construct my statues are from five to 60 years old. The statues represent imaginary machines or devices that apparently perform some unknown task. Many pieces of the statues move under the exploring hands of the viewers who enjoy the texture, form and fit of the machine parts The look and feel of unpainted, rough, worn steel is a sharp contrast to the high tech, shiny look enclosing the inner workings of present machine design.